Universal headrail and drive system

ABSTRACT

A mounting and drive system for a window covering is provided. The mounting and drive system has an elongated body that has a first end and a second end and is configured to releasably retain a window covering that has window covering material connected to a rotating element such that rotation of the element raises or lowers the window covering material. A drive mechanism is permanently attached to one end of the elongated body. The drive mechanism is configured to be releasably coupled to the rotating element of the window covering such that the drive mechanism can turn the element to raised or lower the shade.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a mounting system that can receive and holdwindow coverings raised and lowered by lift cords and window coveringswound on a roller. The window blind may be a mini blind, a venetianblind, a pleated shade, a cellular shade, a roll-up shade, a rollershade, or a roman shade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of window coverings in which window coveringmaterial extends from a headrail to a bottom rail and lift cords extendfrom the bottom rail past or through the window covering material intothe headrail. The lift cords may pass through a cord lock to theexterior of the blind or they may be wound on an axle within the blind.For those window coverings in which the lift cords are wound on an axle,a drive system, typically a cord loop drive or a motor, are provided inthe headrail to turn the axle. It is this type of lift system in whichcords are wound on an axle with which the present invention isconcerned. Such window coverings include venetian blinds, cellularshades, pleated shades, roman shades and roll-up shades.

In yet another type of window covering the window covering material iswound on a roller. In some window coverings, such as the common rollershade a spring is provided inside the roller. In other blinds the rolleris mounted within a headrail and a drive system, typically a loop corddrive or a motor, is provided in the headrail to turn the roller. Thepresent invention is also applicable to this latter type of windowcovering in which a roller is turned by a drive system.

Generally, these types of window coverings are mounted by attaching theheadrail of the window covering to the face of the window frame, byattaching the headrail to an end mount on the inner walls of the windowcasing, by attaching the headrail to an overhead mount along the upperwall of the window casing, or by attaching the headrail to the ceilingadjacent to the window. Two or more brackets are typically used to mountthe window covering to the window casing, ceiling or window frame. Thesebrackets are almost always attached to the window frame or ceiling byscrews. The headrail is then mounted on the brackets. In most windowcovering systems the headrail can be detached from the brackets so thatthe window covering can be taken down for cleaning. Such removal mayrequire some skill and can be a two person job. When brackets areinstalled they are usually positioned and configured to receive aparticular headrail. If one wished to replace a window covering, thesebrackets usually must be removed from the window frame and replaced withdifferent brackets prior to mounting a new window covering. Because ofthese things homeowners and owners of commercial buildings do not oftenchange window coverings. Once installed a window covering may stay inplace for many years. There are many homes and offices in which thewindow coverings have been in place for ten and even twenty years.

Another factor which has discouraged the replacement of window coveringsis that many window coverings are custom made for a particular window.There are, of course, many standard size windows and standard sizeblinds. However, people usually select blinds which match for aparticular room, office or even an entire house or office building.Therefore, any change in window coverings can involve a replacement ofseveral blinds. If any one of those blinds is a custom size, then thereplacement process can be quite involved and require the service of aprofessional.

Most people purchase window coverings without ever seeing a sample ofthe purchased blind hanging from the purchaser's window opening prior tomaking a purchase. As a result, purchasers often make decisions withoutbeing able to sample and fully appreciate the different aestheticeffects the various available window coverings may have in thepurchaser's room. Consequently, purchasers can purchase window coveringsthat are not fully satisfying to the purchaser or do not fullycomplement the desired interior design of the room in which thepurchaser may mount the window covering. Should the customer return theblind the retailer or installer may incur significant costs in acceptingthe return and providing a replacement.

Many homeowners, as well as office workers, prefer to redecorate theirhomes and offices every few years. Most homeowners will decorate theirhouses for holidays, putting up and taking down decorations severaltimes each year. Store owners frequently change window displays andoften have signs in their windows. Window coverings having signs such as“CLOSED” and decorative window coverings have been available for manyyears. However because of the effort involved in replacing windowcoverings, decorating for holidays and redecorating projects seldominclude changing window coverings.

Consequently, there is a need for a system that permits a homeowner,store keeper or office worker to install new or different windowcoverings without requiring significant amounts of time for moving thewindow covering or mounting the new window covering after dismountingthe old window covering. Preferably, the system will permit any personof average do-it-yourself skills to easily replace window coverings andto move a window covering from one window to a different window.Ideally, the system would also permit a customer to obtain temporarywindow coverings that can be installed immediately and used until thedesired window covering has been fabricated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I provide a universal headrail or mounting having a drive system. Thisproduct has an elongated body and a drive mechanism permanently attachedto the elongated body. The elongated body has a first end and a secondend. The elongated body is sized and configured to releasably retain awindow covering that has a rotating element that is turned to raise andlower window covering material. The drive mechanism is permanentlyattached to the first end of the elongated body and is configured to bereleasably coupled to the rotating element of a window covering suchthat the drive mechanism can turn the rotating element when the rotatingelement extending from the element is coupled to the drive mechanism.The rotating element can be a roller, a shaft, a shaft having a drum foreach lift cord shaft and other similar structures that rotate to raiseand lower window covering material.

The drive mechanism can include a loop cord drive, a motor, or a crankoperated drive. Preferably, the rotating element has a hexagonalcross-section or other polygonal shape and the drive mechanism has abore of the same polygonal shape which receives the element. A sidewallmay be attached to the second end of the elongated body. The sidewallmay have a shoulder or recess that is sized to receive the opposite endof the shaft or roller.

The elongated body and attached drive mechanism are mounted to thewindow frame by brackets, a clips, or other mounting devices known tothose skilled in the art.

The mounting and drive system can also include a cartridge shade thathas a headrail, a window covering material connected to the headrail,and lift cords wound about an axle or shaft for raising and lowering thewindow covering material. The axle or shaft of the lift mechanism isconnected to the headrail at one of the ends and is able to be connectedto the drive mechanism at its opposite end. The headrail of thecartridge shade is releasably coupled to the elongated body and theshaft of the lift mechanism is releasably coupled to the drive mechanismsuch that the cartridge shade is removable from the elongated body.

In other embodiments, the mounting and drive system may further includea cartridge shade that has a window covering material wound on a rollerthat is releasably coupled to the elongated body. The roller has a stubshaft extending from one end of the roller that is releasably coupled tothe drive mechanism such that the cartridge shade is removable from theelongated body. The roller can be solid or tubular.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof andcertain present preferred methods of practicing the same proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferredembodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presentpreferred methods of practicing the same.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first present preferred embodiment ofmy mounting and drive system.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a first present preferreddrive mechanism that can be permanently attached to the first end of theelongated body, with the elongated body and a portion of the drivemechanism shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is an perspective view of a second present preferred drivemechanism that can be permanently attached to the first end of theelongated body of the first present preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the third present preferred driveembodiment of my mounting and drive system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth present preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth present preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 together with acartridge shade of the type having a headrail and lift cords.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating a cartridgeshade of the type having a roller about which window covering materialsis wound.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I provide a mounting and drive system such as is shown in FIGS. 1through 8 and a cartridge shade such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 which isreceived by the mounting and drive system. For purposes of describingthe present invention, the term “cartridge shade” is used to refer toeither or both of two types of window coverings. One type of cartridgeshade has a headrail containing a shaft or axle on which lift cords arewound. The lift cords are wound or unwound about the shaft to raise orlower window covering material extending from the headrail. There is nomechanism in the headrail for turning the shaft or axle.

In those cartridge shades in which the window covering material iscomprised of slats, as in venetian blinds or mini blinds, a tiltmechanism may be provided that permits a user to open or close shadeelements or slats of the blind. In other cartridge shades having slats,the rotation of the shaft will tilt the shade elements as well as raiseand lower the blind.

A second type of cartridge shade has a roller about which windowcovering material is wound and a stub shaft extending from at least oneend of the roller. There is no spring within the roller or any othermechanism for turning the roller.

Cartridge shades may be roman shades, pleated shades, cellular shades,roll-up shades, venetian blinds, roller shades or mini blinds.

Referring to FIG. 1, a first present preferred embodiment has anelongated body 1 that has a first end 5 and a second end 6. A drivemechanism 3, which has a loop cord drive 4, is permanently attached tothe first end 5 of the elongated body. The term, “permanently attached,”means that the drive mechanism is not removed or released from theelongated body when a window covering being retained by the elongatedbody is removed from the elongated body. For example, a drive mechanismthat is connected to the first end of the elongated body by clips orsnaps, can be “permanently attached” to the elongated body.Consequently, it should be understood that the drive mechanism does nothave to be integrally formed with the elongated body for the drivemechanism to be “permanently attached” to the elongated body.

The elongated body 1 is sized and configured to releasably retain acartridge shade. The drive mechanism 3 is configured to be releasablycoupled to the rotating element of a cartridge shade such that the drivemechanism can turn the element when the element is coupled to the drivemechanism. The rotating element can be a roller, a tube, a shaft havinga drum for each lift cord or any other similar structure that rotates toraise and lower window covering material. It should be noted that theelongated body may have various shapes and dimensions. For example, theelongated body can be a generally a U-shaped body as shown in FIG. 1 orL-shaped as shown in FIG. 4. The elongated body can also have othershapes and configurations that are capable of retaining a windowcovering. Furthermore, the elongated body and drive system could beintegral portions of a window covering frame or door having a window.

The drive mechanism is configured to be releasably coupled to therotating element of a window covering such that the drive mechanism canturn the rotating element of a window covering when the element iscoupled to the drive mechanism in various ways. For example, the drivemechanism 3 can have a tube 8, as shown in FIG. 2. The tube 8 has a bore14 that is sized to receive the shaft of a cartridge shade. The bore 14faces towards the second end 6 of the elongated body such that the bore14 can receive the shaft. When one end of the rotating element of acartridge shade is within bore 14, the rotation of the tube 8 by thecord loop will cause the element to rotate. Depending on the directionin which the element is rotated, the window covering material of thewindow covering will either be raised or lowered. The size of tube 8relative to the elongated body and other portions of the drive mechanismis larger than it would be in practice so the tube can be readily seenin the drawing.

Preferably, the rotating element or projection of the cartridge shadesthat may be retained by the elongated body will have a polygonal shapeso that the bore 14 of the drive mechanism will also have a polygonalshape to retain the rotating element or projection. Of course, the boreand rotating element can have other cross-sectional shapes, such as astar, oval or even a toothed gear shape. In all cases, the bore 14 ofthe drive mechanism and the rotating element will have correspondingcross-sectional shapes enabling the cartridge shade to be releasablycoupled to the drive mechanism.

The drive mechanism 3 does not have to be a loop cord drive. Forexample, the drive mechanism 3 can have a motor 17 with a bore 14, asillustrated in FIG. 3. When the motor 17 is activated, the motor rotatessuch that the bore 14 rotates. When the rotating element of a windowcovering is retained in the bore 14, the motor can cause the element torotate, which can raise or lower the window covering material of thewindow covering. It should be understood that the motor could beactivated by a remote control or by other mechanisms known to thoseskilled in the art. In a motorized system the cartridge shade likelywould be configured so that a portion of the motor extends into theheadrail.

The drive mechanism 3 can also include a crank drive 18, as shown inFIG. 4. The crank drive 18 has a crank 11 that has an upper portion 7, across bar portion 9, and a handle 10. The upper portion 7 of the crankis connected to the socket portion 29 of a coupling. The socket portioninterlocks with one end 28 of the coupling 24. The opposite end 22 ofthe coupling holds gear 20 such that rotation of the crank 11 rotatesgear 20. If this drive system is used, the rotating element of thecartridge shade may have a gear 21. Gear 20 has teeth that intermeshwith the teeth of gear 21 so that rotation of gear 20 causes gear 21 torotate the element (not shown).

This drive mechanism could also be configured so that the housing 23 ofthe drive system is configured to retain gear 21. In that event, gear 21will have a bore 14 configured to receive the shaft of the cartridgeshade. In this embodiment, the elongated body 1 to which the drivemechanism 3 is attached is L-shaped.

When a user turns handle 10 to rotate crank 11 in a first direction, thecrank causes the socket portion 29 of the coupling to rotate thecoupling 24. Rotation of the coupling 24 rotates gear 20, which causesgear 21 and bore 14 to rotate in a first direction. When a user rotatesthe crank 11 in a direction that is opposite the first direction, thecrank causes the bore 14 and gear 21 to rotate in a second direction.Consequently, when the shaft of a shade is coupled to bore 14, the crankcan be rotated to raise or lower the window covering material of theshade.

A sidewall 37 can also be attached to the second end 6 of the elongatedbody. The sidewall can be used to ensure that a window covering isretained by the elongated body in an aesthetically pleasing way byhaving a size and shape that is consistent with the structure of thedrive mechanism 3 permanently attached to the opposite end of theelongated body. The sidewall 37 can have at least one recess 38 that issized to receive a portion of a window covering, such as an end of astub shaft extending from the rotating element of a cartridge shade or aprojection extending from the headrail of another cartridge shade. Therecess 38 helps ensure that the window covering is securely retained bythe elongated body.

At least one mounting device 31 can be attached to the elongated body sothat the elongated body may be easily mounted to a window opening. Themounting devices can be brackets, clips, screws or other devices. Iprefer to use mounting brackets or mounting clips. The mounting devicescan be positioned in specific locations along the elongated body toprovide maximum support. The mounting devices can be located on the backor ends of the elongated body. The mounting devices can also be attachedto the sidewall or the drive mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 5, the elongated body may have at least one recess 26that is configured to retain at least a portion of the window covering.For example, recesses 26 can be sized to mate with and releasably retaintabs, clips or projections extending from the headrail of a cartridgeshade. When a window covering is retained by the recesses 26, a user canmaneuver the window covering so that the window covering is released bythe recesses. Some of the recesses 26 could be holes that are sized tolet fasteners, such as screws, pass through the elongated body to mountthe elongated body to a ceiling, the top jamb portion that defines thewindow opening, or a portion of a window framing system.

The elongated body may also have at least one shoulder 24, asillustrated in FIG. 6 that receives the bottom of the headrail of acartridge shade. The shoulders 24 may be flanges or other projectionsthat are sized to engage mating recesses, brackets, or other fasteningapparatus on or in the headrail of a cartridge shade to releasablyretain the cartridge shade.

A cartridge shade 19 can also be releasably coupled to the elongatedbody 1 by inserting the rotating element 12 of the cartridge shade intothe drive mechanism 3 and supporting the headrail on the elongated body1, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The cartridge shade 19 has a headrail 60and a window covering material 61 connected to the headrail. Thecartridge shade has a lift mechanism that has a rotating element, orshaft 12, on which lift cords are wound. A spring loaded coupler 39 isprovided within the headrail and is connected to one end of the shaft12. A stub shaft 12 a extends from the coupler 39 out one end of theheadrail. When the stub shaft is inserted into bore 14 of the drivemechanism 3 the coupler 39 allows the stub shaft to retract into theheadrail. When the cartridge shade is coupled to the drive mechanism,the headrail 60 is retained by the elongated body 1. Some types ofcartridge shades may have a clutch (not shown) in the headrail 60.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the cartridgeshade 19 can also have projections or coupling devices that extend fromthe cartridge shade that are configured to releasably couple theheadrail to the elongated body. Such coupling devices can work incombination with the bore of the drive mechanism to ensure the cartridgeshade is consistently retained by the elongated body when the rotatingelement of the cartridge shade is coupled to the bore of the drivemechanism.

The cartridge shade 19 shown in FIG. 7 is the type in which lift cordsare wound about an axle or shaft to raise the window covering material.This type of shade includes venetian blinds, min-blinds, pleated shades,cellular shades, roman shades and roll-up shades. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this type of shade.

In FIG. 8 the mounting and drive system is shown with the type of windowcovering 62 that is wound on a roller 64. A stub shaft 66 extends fromone end of the roller and is inserted into the drive system 3.

It should be readily apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8 that the user of thepresent invention can select from a variety of window coverings, rangingfrom venetian blinds to roller shades, as the cartridge shade. Further,the purchaser may obtain temporary shades that may be releasablyretained in the mounting and drive system. Further, the purchaser mayobtain temporary shades that may be releasably retained in the mountingand drive system. More specifically, the mounting and drive systemenables the owner to easily and quickly remove and replace windowcoverings in his or her home or office. Consequently, a home owner mayeasily move cartridge shades from one room to another room having thesame size windows. Shades with holiday themes or decorations can bereadily installed when a holiday season beings and removed when theseason ends.

Yet, another advantage of the present invention is that the owner of thepresent mounting and drive system can easily buy replacement blinds byjust knowing the size, serial number or perhaps model number of themounting and drive system that she has. It is not necessary to measurethe window opening or install new brackets when buying and installingreplacement shades.

While I have shown and described certain present preferred embodimentsof the invention and have illustrated certain present preferred methodsof practicing the same, it is to be distinctly understood that theinvention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodiedand practiced within the scope of the following claims.

1. A mounting and drive system for a window covering comprising: anelongated body, the elongated body having a first end and a second end,the elongated body sized and configured to releasably retain a windowcovering of a type having a rotating element which is turned to raiseand lower window covering material; and a drive mechanism, the drivemechanism being permanently attached to the first end of the elongatedbody, the drive mechanism being configured to be releasably coupled tothe rotating element of the window covering such that the drivemechanism can turn the rotating element when the rotating element iscoupled to the drive mechanism.
 2. The mounting and drive system ofclaim 1 wherein the drive mechanism is further comprised of a drivedevice selected from the group consisting of a loop cord drive, a motor,and a crank operated drive.
 3. The mounting and drive system of claim 1further comprising at least one mounting device being connected to atleast one of the elongated body and the drive mechanism.
 4. The mountingand drive system of claim 3 wherein the at least one mounting device isa bracket or clip.
 5. The mounting and drive system of claim 1 whereinthe elongated body has at least one of at least one recess and at leastone shoulder sized to receive a portion of a cartridge shade.
 6. Themounting and drive system of claim 1 further comprising a sidewall, thesidewall being attached to the second end of the elongated body.
 7. Themounting and drive system of claim 6 wherein the sidewall has at leastone recess sized to receive a portion of the window covering.
 8. Themounting and drive system of claim 1 wherein the drive mechanism has abore of a polygonal shape sized to receive the rotating element of thewindow covering.
 9. The mounting and drive system of claim 1 furthercomprising a cartridge shade, the cartridge shade being comprised of aheadrail, a window covering material connected to the headrail, and alift mechanism for raising and lowering the window covering material,the lift mechanism being comprised of lift cords wound about a shaft,the lift cords being connected to the window covering material, theshaft of the lift mechanism being connected to the headrail of thecartridge shade, the headrail of the cartridge shade being releasablycoupled to the elongated body, and the shaft of the lift mechanism beingreleasably coupled to the drive mechanism such that the cartridge shadeis removable from the elongated body.
 10. The mounting and drive systemof claim 9 wherein the cartridge shade is a window covering selectedfrom the group consisting of roman shades, pleated shades, cellularshades, roll-up shades, venetian blinds, and mini blinds.
 11. Themounting and drive system of claim 9 also comprising a spring loadedcoupler connected between the shaft of the lift mechanism.
 12. Themounting and drive system of claim 1 further comprising a cartridgeshade, the cartridge shade being comprised of a window covering materialwound on a roller, the roller having a stub shaft extending from an endof the roller, the roller being releasably coupled to the elongatedbody, the stub shaft being releasably coupled to the drive mechanismsuch that the cartridge shade is removable from the elongated body. 13.The mounting and drive system of claim 12 wherein the roller of thecartridge shade is a tubular roller.
 14. The mounting and drive systemof claim 1 wherein the elongated body is configured to releasably retaina window covering having a rotating element that is one of a roller, atube, a shaft, and a shaft having a drum.